Jack Rodwell of Sunderland (#8) celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Capital One Cup

Share

Get Sunderland AFC updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Jack Rodwell is hopeful his two goals against Exeter City on Tuesday are a “sign of things to come”.

The Sunderland midfielder has struggled to make a consistent impact since his £10 million move from Manchester City in August 2014.

Beset by a series of injury setbacks, the 24-year-old has managed just 29 appearances for the Black Cats.

But after opening his account for the season with a brace in the 6-3 Capital One Cup second round victory over the Grecians this week, Rodwell is aiming to add more goals to his game.

“I haven’t scored as many goals as I would have wanted to for Sunderland, that’s fair,” he said.

“I feel like there have been times when I’ve got into the right position, but for some reason the ball hasn’t quite fallen for me like it did on Tuesday night.

“I could probably have had a couple more against Exeter, so hopefully that’s a sign of things to come. I’ll keep working hard and trying to get more goals every season.

“I played well against Swansea (City), and felt a bit leggy against Exeter.

“But I’m pleased with my last two games and got a couple of goals to my name too.”

Jack Rodwell of Sunderland and Kyle Naughton of Swansea City compete for the ball

Rodwell will now hope to carry that form into Saturday’s Premier League clash at Aston Villa.

And with a 15-day lay-off thereafter to accommodate the latest international break, the former Everton and Manchester City star says it is important Sunderland sign off with a positive result. “It’s a big game going into the international break,” he said. “The last thing you want to do when you’re not on international duty is come into training on the back of a defeat, but with no game to bounce back on the weekend.

“It’s always nice to come out with a win before the break happens.”

By the time Sunderland return to action thereafter, when Tottenham Hotspur visit the Stadium of Light on September 13, they will hope to have off-loaded Emanuele Giaccherini.

The Italian has failed to make an impact on Wearside, and Dick Advocaat admitted last week that the 30-year-old is ill-suited to the demands of the Premier League.

Sources in Italy suggest Napoli – from whom the Black Cats would like to sign Jonathan de Guzman – are the latest club to turn down the chance to sign the midfielder.

But The Journal understands Giaccherini could yet leave Sunderland before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, with Bologna thought to be interested.

Advocaat and sporting director Lee Congerton are hopeful of adding to their squad while the window remains open, with Rennes’ Ola Toivonen, who can play in midfield or attack, in their sights.

Sunderland’s Capital One Cup third round home tie against Manchester City will take place on Tuesday, September 22 (7.45pm).

Tickets priced £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s and over-65s are on sale from Tuesday, and available online from www.safc.com , by telephone on 0871 911 1973 and in person from the Stadium of Light ticket office.